JPH0757034B2 - Electro-optical device for remote control of electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] Electronic devices that can be remotely controlled, especially household electronic devices, are widely used. Such consumer electronic devices are
Primarily includes televisions, video recorders, audio equipment, and the like. Remote controls are conveniently used in home computers, garage doors, roller blinds, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art A remote control signal for controlling a device is generated in response to a user pressing a key. The transmission medium is an ultrasonic or infrared signal that is suitably modulated or coded.

Control instructions corresponding to a number of functions to be controlled, such as a television connected to a video recorder, which receives teletext in addition to just a part of the device, ie the channels of the various televisions. A required number of remote control transmitter keys are required. However, although it is possible to reduce the number of keys by multiple assignment of keys, doing so complicates the operation. A drastic reduction in the number of keys is not possible in this way. A method outside this state is with a computer, for example of the type in which possible control commands are provided to the operator via a "menu" through the screen, and then the operator selects the desired command via the keyboard or "mouse" It is a transmission method that interacts with the device to be controlled as is commonly used.

Each part of the mouse that moves over the table determines the position of the cursor.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple electro-optical device for an electronic device, which also allows such position control in the case of a remotely controlled electronic device in order to reduce the number of keys required. Is.

Position control according to the invention is achieved by evaluating the relative position of the remote control transmitter for each line connecting the remote control transmitters, and by means of a suitable electro-optical device. The device is obtained. By tilting the remote control transmitter, i.e. in the horizontal or vertical direction, the relevant signal corresponding to the tilt angle in each direction is generated in an evaluation circuit included in the electronic device. The evaluation of each tilt angle also has the effect of enabling a continuous control, especially if the graphic is to be produced eg by a remote control transmitter of the screen of a home computer, for example for adjustment of quantities. . The tilted two-way combined evaluation allows continuous motion control in any direction on the screen.

The basic idea of an electro-optical device according to the invention is:
Three radiation sources having different radiation patterns and different in three spatial directions form the transmitter part of the electro-optical device, so that the receiving part is different depending on the tilt direction of the remote control transmitter. Received radiation intensity,
It is based on the fact that the relationship between these radiation intensities is evaluated to determine the position of the remote control transmitter.

Example FIG. 1a shows the radiation patterns of the three radiation sources q1, q2, q3 in the remote control transmitter g viewed from above in a schematic manner.
FIGS. 1b, c, d show three radiation patterns schematically seen from the side. The radiation pattern is shown by dashed lines, while these essential parts are shown by solid lines.

The three radiation sources q1, q2, q3 are driven, for example, by adjacently spaced pulses in a time division multiplex mode,
It is driven by a drive st which inserts an extended space as an identification signal after every third pulse. The three radiation sources are in front of the remote control transmitter housing gg, and the three optical axes o1, o2, o3 of the three radiation sources are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Of course, like a conventional remote control transmitter, the remote control transmitter g comprises a keyboard with a coding circuit for generating, via additional electronics, a coded signal emitted via a diode emitting infrared light. be able to. For example, a third radiation source q3 would also be suitable for this purpose because of its uniform radiation pattern. Menu mode is initiated via the keyboard or special keys
The selected control command can be released.

In the horizontal reference plane in the direction of the optical axis o1 of the radiation source, the radiation pattern of the first radiation source q1 has an intensity characteristic that varies widely in the first angular range w1. This does not apply to the radiation patterns of the second and third radiation sources q2 and q3. Considered from the above, these radiation patterns have flat intensity characteristics in the angular range w1. It should be noted that the radiation pattern is shown as projection. In the representation of FIG. 1, the radiation patterns all have approximately the same intensity value at their intersection with their optical axis. However, this is not a requirement of the present invention. FIGS. 1b, c, d show the vertical projections of the radiation patterns of the three radiation sources q1, q2, q3. The reference plane for the second angular range w2 is the vertical plane containing each optical axis o1, o2, o3.
In the vertical reference plane, the first and third radiation sources q1, q
The radiation pattern of 3 has a flat intensity characteristic in the second angular range w2, while the second radiation source q2 has a widely varying intensity characteristic. When the second radiation source q2 is tilted upwards or downwards, its intensity decreases or increases, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows a simple embodiment of the electro-optical device at the receiving end. The radiation detector p serves to receive the radiation emitted by the three radiation sources q1, q2, q3. It is arranged in front of the electronic device eg and comprises an infrared receiving diode whose output is amplified by a variable gain amplifier v,
It is connected to the decoder circuit cd via the interference suppression filter f. The decoder circuit cd separates the multiple signals received into three component signals k1, k2, k3 corresponding to the signals respectively received from the first, second and third radiation sources q1, q2, q3.

The three component signals k1, k2, k3 are sent to an evaluation circuit aw that generates reference signals z1, z2 corresponding to the tilt angles in each reference plane. The evaluation circuit aw shown in FIG. 2 has a particularly simple structure. It obtains a first difference signal d1 from the first and third component signals k1, k3 by the first subtractor sb1 and a second difference signal sb2 by the second subtractor sb2 from the second and third component signals k2, k3. A difference signal d2 of 2 is obtained.

In the subtractors sb1 and sb2, the angle-dependent intensity characteristics of the radiation patterns of the first and second radiation sources q1 and q2, respectively, are therefore compared with the relatively angle-invariant radiation pattern of the third radiation source q3. It The two difference signals d1, d2 have to be standardized, as the absolute intensity is very strongly distance-dependent. This is the third component signal k3
By the first and second standardization circuits g1, g2 which respectively divide the first and second difference signals d1, d2 by the value of and generate at their outputs the first and second reference signals z1, z2 respectively. Done. Therefore, each value of these two difference signals is approximately proportional to each tilt angle.

The variable gain amplifier v also partially compensates for distance-dependent intensity changes. The control signal is obtained from the third component signal k3 which is low-pass filtered via the control stage cs. The variable gain amplifier v is especially necessary when the decoder circuit cd and the evaluation circuit aw are designed as digital circuits. In the absence of the variable gain amplifier v, the resolution of the analog-to-digital converter c1 at large distances may be too low due to the small signal amplitude when several quantum levels are involved. When the signal is processed digitally, the control input of the variable gain amplifier v is the digital-to-analog converter c2.
Driven through.

The analog-to-digital converter c1 consists of a decoder circuit cd and a microprocessor p which is loaded with a program having the same effect as the decoder circuit cd and the evaluation circuit aw.
It is possible to configure the decoder circuit cd and the evaluation circuit aw inside. Because of the position determination, the microprocessor already present in the electronic device eg can be used, since the calculated process is slow and thus another program can be easily inserted.

The radiation pattern shown in FIG. 1 can be generated in various ways. In a particularly simple embodiment, at least the first and the second radiation source q1, q2 respectively have associated radiation sources q1, q2 in the direction of their optical axes o1, o2 and at a distance from their emitting surface. The radiation source is a linear or planar radiation source having partition plates b1 and b2 that physically cover it. Effective diaphragm edges in the first and second radiation sources q1, q2 must have special parts perpendicular to the direction of the respective first and second reference planes. As mentioned above, the first and second reference planes are determined by the optical axes o1, o2 and the respective directions of possible tilt angles, ie the first and second angular ranges w1, w2, respectively. First in the first and second angular ranges w1, w2 measured without a diaphragm
It is also required that the intensity characteristics of the radiation pattern of the second radiation source q1, q2 should be symmetrical and as flat as possible.

Therefore, the radiation surfaces of the two radiation sources q1, q2, and consequently the radiation intensities of these radiation sources, are tilted only by the fact that the radiation surfaces are covered by the two diaphragms b1, b2 to different extents. Therefore it changes.

The surface configuration of the three radiation sources is of no importance.
They can be matte surfaces, such as pure cosine radiators, or they can be surfaces that concentrate the beam in the direction of the optical axis with high intensity to extend the remote control limit.

A preferred embodiment of an electronic device having a diaphragm is shown in Figures 3a and 3b. FIG. 3a shows the front face of a remote control transmitter g with an optical window containing three radiation sources q1, q2, q3 having a square emitting surface. The first partition b1 is the first
Cover the left half of the radiation source q1 and the second partition b2 covers the lower half of the second radiation source q2. Therefore, as the remote control transmitter is rotated in the horizontal reference plane, the radiation source
The extent to which q1 is covered varies, while it does not change in the range of the second radiation source q2.

FIG. 3b shows the front part of this remote control transmitter g viewed from above. The left half of the first radiation source q1 is the first partition plate.
It is covered by b1, while the edge of the second diaphragm b2 extends over the entire front surface of the second radiation source q2 inside.

FIG. 3b also shows the distance where the two diaphragms b1, b2 are located in front of each emitting surface. The choice of each distance depends on the desired angular sensitivity of the remote control transmitter.

The square shape of the radiating surface is particularly advantageous as it makes it possible to separate the horizontal and vertical tilts in a very simple way when the square edges and the edges of the diaphragm face these directions.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the partition plate. In this embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a plate-like body ll which is tilted with respect to the optical axis oi at a fixed angle w3. Each angle w3 of the trend is defined by a first or second angular range w1, w with which the direction in which the maximum amount of light is passed or blocked by these plates ll is also associated.
The first or second angular range w1, w2 so that it is outside of 2.
Outside of. The plate-shaped diaphragm can be combined with the surface of any linear or planar radiation source of radiation qi, but a square emitting surface is preferred. Plate partition plate ll
The advantage lies in the fact that these angular sensitivities are considerably better than those of simple diaphragms. The distance between the plate-like bodies ll parallel to the same plate-like body shape is short, and the sensitivity is good.

The radiation pattern illustrated by FIG. 1 can also be generated by optical means included in the surface of each radiation source or preceding the radiation surface as well. Suitable optical means are the usual basic optical shapes such as prisms or lenses, which may be cylindrical, spherical or aspherical. A combination of two or more primitives or microstructures is also possible, as is the case with Fresnel lenses. For example,
It suffices to use a simple prism that separates the radiation lobes from the original optical axis to the point where the desired rise / fall intensity characteristics are given in the angular range w1, w2 about the original optical axis. Correspondingly tilted radiation source locations would have the same effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the basic principle of the invention with a range of radiation patterns of three radiation sources of a remote control transmitter. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the receiving part of the electro-optical device. 3a and 3b are detailed views of a particularly advantageous transmission part of the electro-optical device seen from the front and the top, respectively. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a radiation source including a plate-shaped partition plate. eg …… Electronic device, q1, q2, q3 …… Radiation source, o1, o2, o3 ……
Optical axis, w1, w2 ... angle range, p ... radiation detector, g
...... Remote control transmitter.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An electro-optical device for a remotely controlled electronic device, in particular for a domestic electronic device, wherein the radiation pattern is determined by its optical axis and a first direction in a first reference plane, A first radiation source having a first angular range including and having an essentially monotonic rise / fall intensity characteristic; and a radiation pattern determined by its optical axis and a second direction in a second reference plane. A second radiation source having a second angular range including the optical axis and having an essentially monotonic rise / fall intensity characteristic; and a radiation pattern at least in the first and second reference planes Detecting a third radiation source having a second angular range and having a flat intensity characteristic compared to the intensity characteristics of the first and second radiation sources, and radiation emitted by the three radiation sources For at least An electro-optical device, also including a radiation detector, wherein the three optical axes of the three radiation sources included in the remote control transmitter are parallel to each other. 2. An electric drive circuit for driving three radiation sources having coded signals, and a decoder circuit for separating the output signal of the radiation detector into three component signals and sending them to an evaluation circuit. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The evaluation circuit includes at least one subtractor and at least one standardization circuit, a first difference signal is generated from the first and third component signals, and a second difference signal is second. And the third component signal, each of the two difference signals being divided by a third component signal to produce a first reference signal and a second reference signal. apparatus. 4. An electro-optical device according to claim 3, wherein a variable gain amplifier is arranged between the radiation detector and the decoder circuit, the control input of which is coupled to the third component signal through a control stage. 5. The electro-optical device according to claim 4, wherein the output of the variable gain amplifier is digitized by an analog-digital converter, and the subsequent stage is digital processing. 6. The electro-optical device according to claim 5, wherein the stage following the analog-digital converter is constituted by a microprocessor loaded with a program which has the same effect as the decoder circuit and the evaluation circuit. 7. At least the first and second radiation sources are linear or planar radiation sources, and have a partition plate spaced apart from the radiation surface and covering a portion of the associated radiation sources in the direction of the optical axis. The edge of the diaphragm has a portion perpendicular to the direction of the first reference plane in the case of the first radiation source and a portion perpendicular to the direction of the second reference plane in the case of the second radiation source. 6. The electro-optics according to claim 5, wherein the radiation patterns unaffected by the first and second radiation sources are symmetrical and have maximum flat intensity characteristics in the first angular range and the second angular range, respectively. Device. 8. The radiation surfaces of the three radiation sources are square-shaped in a plane perpendicular to a common optical axis, the sides of which are at right angles or parallel to each other, at least in the first and second angular ranges. , Each of which is parallel to one side of the square, has a radiation pattern which is unaffected by the three radiation sources and has a symmetric and maximally flat intensity characteristic, and an effective diaphragm edge is associated with each 1 or 2
8. The electro-optical device according to claim 7, which extends straight in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. 9. Two partitions are associated with either the first or the second.
8. A parallel plate that passes or blocks a maximum amount of light in a direction outside the angular range of and is tilted with respect to the associated optical axis of the first or second reference plane.
The electro-optical device described. 10. The electro-optical device of claim 1, wherein the three radiation sources have optical biasing surfaces that collect light emitted by each radiation source at least partially in a predetermined direction. 11. The electro-optical device according to claim 10, wherein the optical biasing surface is formed by a prism or a cylindrical or spherical or aspherical lens.